Indonesia strengthens biotechnology applications

The Indonesian Farmers' Association (KTNA) has called on the government to strengthen the application of biotechnology to agricultural production to increase productivity in the context of unusual fluctuations in climate affecting trees. planting and crops.

KTNA President Winarno Tohir said that Indonesia's agricultural industry is facing abnormal weather conditions. This is the cause of droughts, floods and pests that greatly affect crop productivity.

Therefore, the industry must increase the application of advanced technologies, especially biotechnology, to overcome and overcome the effects of climate change.

Photo: denver.cbslocal.com

Mr. Winarno Tohir emphasized that universities have many initiatives and scientific research projects that can be applied in the agricultural field but have not yet come into practice and reach farmers because of many other barriers. each other, including regulations on administrative procedures.

Meanwhile, farmers are expecting biotechnology to be applied in a widespread and widespread way, helping to increase pest resistance, withstand drought or waterlogged, especially to breed Plant varieties can be grown on peat land or coastal areas, while improving crop quality and reducing cultivation time, limiting pesticide use.

In addition, improving the efficiency of land use and cultivation will also contribute positively to the environment and reduce the greenhouse effect.

The Director General of Food, Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, Udhoro Kasih Anggoro shares the same view with the Farmers' Union and notes that biotechnology can also help Indonesia to ensure its own food and overcome the global crisis.

However, he asserts that the application of biotechnology is not allowed to ignore important issues such as biosafety, food safety and environmental safety, in which new genetically modified varieties can only Applied if genetically modified products ensure biosecurity.